Author: airtech_admin

There’s more to an air conditioner than just turning it on when it gets too hot. Not many people know how to use an air conditioner efficiently, which ends up costing you more with each energy bill and eventual repair bills down the road. In order to prevent paying more to run your air conditioner, avoid making these common AC mistakes.

Not Changing Air Filters – Air filters should be changed roughly once per month (or less frequently if they are of a higher quality). Air filters remove dust from the air and allow you to breathe clean air. Failing to change these filters will result in poor air quality and a system that has to work harder, adding wear and tear to the unit.

Holding Onto Your Old Thermostat – Using an out of date thermostat can hurt your wallet and your comfort level. Old thermostats can inaccurately read temperature levels, causing the system to turn on and off when it doesn’t need to be. Refusing to upgrade to a programmable thermostat will also prevent you from setting different temperatures throughout the day.

Setting the Temperature Too Low – There’s no reason to set your thermostat to 68 degrees or lower. By setting the temperature between 73 and 78 degrees, you’ll not only remain comfortable but you’ll also save a nice chunk on your energy bill at the end of the month.

Blocking of the Vents – There are many air ducts in homes that are located on floors and the lower portions of the wall. Make sure all air vents remain unobstructed and aren’t ever covered or blocked by furniture. This will limit air circulation and cause your home to be warmer than it should be.

Skipping Out on Annual Service – Your cooling system should be serviced each and every year — usually in the spring before it’s used for the very first time. An annual inspection can identify any repairs that need to be made to make sure it doesn’t break down (which commonly happen during heat waves). If you haven’t had yours serviced this year, you better run over to the phone — now!

Knowing all of the most common AC mistakes can help you prevent making any of them, which will help keep your home comfortable and money in your wallet. When you need HVAC maintenance or repair, contact Airtech of Stamford. To learn more or to schedule an appointment, give us a call at (203) 323-3959.

In the beginning of summer, energy bills weren’t so bad since the AC wasn’t always needed. Unfortunately, the last few weeks have been pretty brutal and your cooling costs have basically doubled in your attempt to beat the heat, right? In order to slash your AC bills without suffering in the heat, make sure you:

Update Your Old Thermostat

First and foremost, an old thermostat can inaccurately read the temperature of the room. This can cause your cooling system to run for longer than it has to. The location of your old thermostat can also hurt you if it’s too close to a sun-facing window, a large piece of technology, or an appliance. All of these can emit a large amount of heat that can trigger the cooling system to turn on.

Seal Your Windows

Windows can oftentimes become drafty if they’re not completely sealed off. For windows with window air conditioning units, make sure they are properly installed and sealed within the frame. Once the weather begins to drop, take this unit out immediately. For all other windows, consider adding weather stripping to each frame. Not only will this keep the heat out during the summer, but it will prevent the heat from escaping during the winter.

Service Your Unit

As a homeowner, you should be maintaining your cooling system throughout the spring and summer months. Typical maintenance includes replacing filters on a monthly basis, cleaning the unit itself when dust and debris accumulate, and having it serviced at least once per year. For those who haven’t serviced their system this past spring or those who are having trouble with theirs, contact your local HVAC company for a routine service.

You shouldn’t have to sacrifice your comfort by sitting in the heat in order to save a few bucks. When you’re sick of paying sky high energy bills, contact Airtech of Stamford for a solution! To learn more or to schedule an appointment, give us a call at (203) 323-3959.

One of the most efficient ways to cool your home is with a central air system. However, there are things you can do (or not do) that will lead it to become less efficient than it’s capable of. To make sure you’re getting the most out of your cooling system, make sure you’re keeping these things in mind.

Set the Perfect Temperature

They key to attaining comfort AND efficiency is to find the sweet spot on your thermostat. Too high and you’ll be hot and miserable; too low you’ll be paying a fortunate when your energy bill arrives. The desired temperature during the summer months is 78 degrees. However, you can go a degree or two lower if you need it to be a tad bit cooler.

Clean the Coils

A central air system has both indoor and outdoor coils. These coils will attract dust as they are constantly wet while the system is running during the summer. Inspect and clean both of these coils on a monthly basis as dirty coils is the most common reason for poor efficiency. The indoor coil will usually become dirtier than the outdoor one due to excessive dust, so you may want to inspect this one twice per month.

Help Your System Out

Your cooling system also relies on your actions in order to be efficient, so while you do need to maintain it, you also need to assist it. Keep blinds and curtains drawn closed on sun-facing windows, keep doors and windows closed when it’s hot outside, and add weatherstripping to leaky doors and windows. You should also consider using heat-emitting appliances during the nighttime when it’s cooler (like the oven, stove, dryer, etc.).

Central air systems are extremely efficient, but there are things you can do to take their efficiency to the next level! When your cooling system needs service, repair, or replacement, contact Airtech of Stamford. To learn more or to schedule an appointment, give us a call at (203) 323-3959.

Does your home smell funky every time you turn on the air conditioner. Now that the weather is warm full-time, the last thing you want is to smell foul odors when you’re trying to stay out of the summer heat. Here’s why your air conditioner smells and how to fix it.

Why Your Air Conditioner Smells

Air conditioners can release foul odors into your home if they have a buildup of mold or microbial growth.This growth can occur due to condensation on the refrigerator coils, a clogged drain pan, or if there’s a leak. Small rodents can also sneak their way into the condenser unit outside, becoming trapped and eventually dying within the unit. A lack of maintenance can cause these things to never be discovered, worsening the smell as time goes on.

Steps to Remove Foul Odors from the Air Conditioner

Inspect the Unit – First things first, open up the outdoor unit and give it a visual inspection. Look for any dead animals, visible mold, or any leaks that could be causing microbial growth. Many times you will be able to easily see the cause of the odor.

Clean the Unit – Using a foaming coil cleaner, spray the refrigerator coils and allow it to sit for 10 minutes before scrubbing. Once that has been cleaned off, clean the rest of the unit of any dirt and growth with the proper cleaner and protection (latex gloves and a face mask).

Clean the Drain Line and Pan – Remove the drain line from the unit and clean it with a solution of hot water and white vinegar (or bleach). This should kill any fungi or microbial growth inhabiting the line. The same should be done for the drain pan — remove and clean it with the same solution. Allow them both to fully dry before reinstalling.

Replace Old Filters – Any filters inside of the unit should be changed or cleaned (if they’re reusable). Air filters should be replaced every one to three months or cleaned with a diluted bleach solution just as often.

Check and Test – Once all of your maintenance has been performed, check that everything is installed where it should be and test the system by turning it on. If the foul odors still exist, the problem could be within your ductwork or a larger problem that will need an HVAC technician to troubleshoot.

Having an air conditioner that stinks up your entire home isn’t something you should put up with all summer. When you need HVAC repair, service, or replacement, contact Airtech of Stamford. To learn more or to schedule an appointment, give us a call at (203) 323-3959.

Now that summer is here to stay, you’ll be feeling nothing but heat from the big, bright sun from now on. Thankfully, with the flip of a switch (or press of a button), you’ll have access to cool air wherever and whenever you’d like. Unfortunately, you might be making a few big time mistakes when it comes to your cooling system (and they should be corrected as soon as possible).

Mistake #1: Incorrect Thermostat Usage

Many homeowners will make the mistake of setting the thermostat to a ridiculously cold temperature to cool their home down at a faster rate. The truth is, your home won’t cool down faster. If one cooling system is set to 68 degrees and the other is set to 74 degrees, they will both reach 74 degrees at the same time. Setting the thermostat to a lower temperature and then raising it back up will waste energy (your money) and place extra wear and tear on your system.

Mistake #2: Running the System For Too Long

Cooling systems are designed to last for at least a decade as long as regular maintenance is performed. However, the lifespan of your unit will decrease as it accumulates additional wear and tear. Allowing the cooling system to run for too long without giving it a break here and there will make it more prone to breaking down. Instead, give it a break for a few hours each day — preferably in the evenings when temperatures are at their lowest.

Mistake #3: Skipping Maintenance & Repairs

All cooling systems need annual maintenance to make sure they are good to go for the upcoming warm weather months. This maintenance should be done in spring, but if you haven’t had yours serviced this year — what are you waiting for!? The last thing you want is for your HVAC system to break down during a heat wave due to a faulty part that could’ve been repaired or replaced during this service. The more love you show to your cooling system, the more love it will show back to you!

Using an air conditioner is extremely simple, however, there are big time mistakes you can make without even realizing it. When your HVAC system needs repair or replacement, contact Airtech of Stamford. To learn more or to schedule an appointment, give us a call at (203) 323-3959.